From Meadow to Map: Integrating Field Surveys and Interactive Visualizations for Invasive Species Management in a National Park

Invasive species are an important and growing issue of concern for land managers, and the ability to collect and visualize species coverage data is vital to the management of invasive and native species. This is particularly true of spatial data, which provides invaluable information on location, es...

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Main Authors: Joshua Randall, Nicole C. Inglis, Lindsey Smart, Jelena Vukomanovic
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-10-01
Series:ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/11/10/525
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author Joshua Randall
Nicole C. Inglis
Lindsey Smart
Jelena Vukomanovic
author_facet Joshua Randall
Nicole C. Inglis
Lindsey Smart
Jelena Vukomanovic
author_sort Joshua Randall
collection DOAJ
description Invasive species are an important and growing issue of concern for land managers, and the ability to collect and visualize species coverage data is vital to the management of invasive and native species. This is particularly true of spatial data, which provides invaluable information on location, establishment rates, and spread rates necessary for managing habitats. However, current methods of collection are rarely integrated into a full management tool, making it difficult to quickly collect and visualize multiple years of data for multiple species. We created the Geospatial Meadow Management Tool (GMMT) to provide a complete framework from geospatial data collection to web visualization. We demonstrate the utility of our approach using Valley Forge National Historical Park meadow survey data. The GMMT was created through the ArcGIS suite of software, taking advantage of the modularity of multiple processes, and incorporating an online visualization dashboard that allows for quick and efficient data analysis. Using Valley Forge National Historical Park as a case study, the GMMT provides a wide range of useful species coverage data and visualizations that provide simple yet insightful ways to understand species distribution. This tool highlights the ability of a web-based visualization tool to be modified to incorporate the needs of users, providing powerful visuals for non-GIS experts. Future avenues for this work include highlighted open-data and community engagement, such as citizen science, to address the increasing threat of invasive species both on and off public lands.
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spelling doaj.art-336ed331c44546c5b59484e65757e40f2023-11-24T00:27:33ZengMDPI AGISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information2220-99642022-10-01111052510.3390/ijgi11100525From Meadow to Map: Integrating Field Surveys and Interactive Visualizations for Invasive Species Management in a National ParkJoshua Randall0Nicole C. Inglis1Lindsey Smart2Jelena Vukomanovic3Center for Geospatial Analytics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USACenter for Geospatial Analytics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USACenter for Geospatial Analytics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USACenter for Geospatial Analytics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USAInvasive species are an important and growing issue of concern for land managers, and the ability to collect and visualize species coverage data is vital to the management of invasive and native species. This is particularly true of spatial data, which provides invaluable information on location, establishment rates, and spread rates necessary for managing habitats. However, current methods of collection are rarely integrated into a full management tool, making it difficult to quickly collect and visualize multiple years of data for multiple species. We created the Geospatial Meadow Management Tool (GMMT) to provide a complete framework from geospatial data collection to web visualization. We demonstrate the utility of our approach using Valley Forge National Historical Park meadow survey data. The GMMT was created through the ArcGIS suite of software, taking advantage of the modularity of multiple processes, and incorporating an online visualization dashboard that allows for quick and efficient data analysis. Using Valley Forge National Historical Park as a case study, the GMMT provides a wide range of useful species coverage data and visualizations that provide simple yet insightful ways to understand species distribution. This tool highlights the ability of a web-based visualization tool to be modified to incorporate the needs of users, providing powerful visuals for non-GIS experts. Future avenues for this work include highlighted open-data and community engagement, such as citizen science, to address the increasing threat of invasive species both on and off public lands.https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/11/10/525ArcGIS Onlinedecision supportnatural resource managementpublic scienceSurvey123
spellingShingle Joshua Randall
Nicole C. Inglis
Lindsey Smart
Jelena Vukomanovic
From Meadow to Map: Integrating Field Surveys and Interactive Visualizations for Invasive Species Management in a National Park
ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information
ArcGIS Online
decision support
natural resource management
public science
Survey123
title From Meadow to Map: Integrating Field Surveys and Interactive Visualizations for Invasive Species Management in a National Park
title_full From Meadow to Map: Integrating Field Surveys and Interactive Visualizations for Invasive Species Management in a National Park
title_fullStr From Meadow to Map: Integrating Field Surveys and Interactive Visualizations for Invasive Species Management in a National Park
title_full_unstemmed From Meadow to Map: Integrating Field Surveys and Interactive Visualizations for Invasive Species Management in a National Park
title_short From Meadow to Map: Integrating Field Surveys and Interactive Visualizations for Invasive Species Management in a National Park
title_sort from meadow to map integrating field surveys and interactive visualizations for invasive species management in a national park
topic ArcGIS Online
decision support
natural resource management
public science
Survey123
url https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/11/10/525
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